CHAPTER 13

I was shocked when I saw a broken plate and glass in the living room. I didn't expect their argument to get this bad. The living room was already a mess because of my mom and my two siblings.

"Did you find a job?" my mom asked angrily.

"N-no," I replied, my lips trembling.

She slapped my forehead lightly out of anger. I remained silent while listening to her scold. She even involved everyone in the house.

"Useless!" my mom shouted angrily.

My siblings left one by one and left my mother shouting in the living room. I was shivering from the cold while tightly holding my brown envelope wrapped in a plastic envelope.

"Useless!"

I put down the envelope I was holding and approached her. She was acting hysterical now. Even though I want to take a bath right away to avoid getting sick, I can't do it because of my mother.

My heart was pounding when I saw her face was red from anger. I walked quickly to the kitchen to get her some water, and when I approached her, she was already sitting on a chair while still ranting. My hands were trembling while holding the glass of water when I reached her.

"Drink some water first," I said nervously to her.

Her chest rose and fell, and her eyes glared at me sharply. I know I looked like a wet chicken in front of her, but I was more concerned about her condition.

She just grabbed the glass from me and drank the water. I smiled at her when I saw that she had finished drinking it. I also quickly took the glass from her because she might throw it out of anger.

I quickly clean up the broken glass on the floor. Carefully and making sure that not a single piece of glass could be seen so they wouldn't get hurt. After I was done, I took a bath in the bathroom.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

I didn't expect to get sick the next day. I just woke up last night with a fever. I sneezed several times when I got up from my own bed. I took a deep breath and drank my medicine when I heard my phone alarm.

My eyes landed on a notification when a message suddenly popped up.

From Ei:

Hi, Sarah! How are you? Are you okay now? Get well soon:)

To Ei:

Hello. I'm okay now, Ei.

I put my phone on the study table and got a towel from the cabinet to take a bath. I know my mother will bang on the door again to wake me up. Even if I have a fever, I need to find a way to find a job.

I flinched when I heard a loud bang outside the door. I know this will be coming, that's why I'm already prepared.

"Sarah! What's taking you so long!? Oh my god, this kid. Do you always have to be woken up every morning!? Find a job, you idiot!"

"Yes, Mother," I replied, not sure if she heard me.

I got out of the room and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. I can still hear ranting while I was in the bathroom.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Miss, you might be interested in working here. I've noticed you've been looking around for a while now."

I looked up as a woman approached me. Her thick and colorful makeup was quite noticeable. She was holding a cigarette between her index and middle fingers.

I was just sitting on an empty bench, resting. I tried going back to the mall again, but they weren't hiring. So now I'm behind the mall, where there are small shops in the market or grocery, trying to apply to other places, but they're not hiring either. I haven't explored the whole area yet, so maybe there's still hope. Besides, I don't have any more money to look for a job in other places, so maybe I can find something here temporarily.

"You just have to dance on stage if you want to."

I shook my head and smiled faintly at her. "I'm looking for a decent job, ma'am," I replied politely.

She seemed offended by what I said, and her expression changed. I'm not judging her, but I know where I'll end up if I agree to what she wants.

"Dancing is a decent job, honey," she replied and sat next to me.

My eyebrows furrowed when I smelled the cigarette smoke as she exhaled it. I kept my eyes on the road, watching the people walking and occasionally passing Jeeps. And also the noisy people in the scattered eateries here.

It was already past midnight, and I could see some beerhouses opening. I would go home again without submitting any resume, and my mother would scold me again.

"I know there's something more to that dancing," I turned to her, and our eyes met.

Her expression turned sour, and she just shook her head. She looked away, and I saw how she took a drag of her cigarette. She exhaled it again into the air so I could smell it again.

"Instead of struggling to find a job, you can earn more if you..."

"No, I won't agree. I'm sorry," I interrupted her.

She raised an eyebrow and stood up. Before she turned her back on me I couldn't help but shake my head when I heard what she said.

"I'm already offering you a job here, and you're still refusing. As if you're so beautiful."

I just ignored what she said. I followed her with my eyes until she entered a beerhouse near the bench where I was sitting.

I sat there for a few more minutes before finally getting up to continue my job search for the last time before going home. I returned to the seat when my vision darkened and my phone vibrated. I took it and checked who texted.

From Ei:

Did you already eat, Sarah? Don't forget to take your medicine, okay? Get well soon.

I just smiled when I saw her text.

To Ei:

I already took my medicine, Ei. Thanks.

I didn't answer her first question because, the truth is, I haven't eaten yet. The last time my stomach was full was this morning, for breakfast. If I eat now, I might not have enough money for a fare, so I didn't eat. Maybe later when I get home.

I went around the area again for the last time. I also entered a small clothing store, but they weren't hiring. I'm starting to lose hope if I'll find a job or not. It's so hard to find a job when you're a fresh graduate.

I gave up in the end. Maybe tomorrow there will be one in another place. I swallowed hard when I felt something stuck in my throat. Tears started to well up in my eyes and blink it, trying to stop my tears from falling.

"I just want a job..." I whispered to myself as I stared at the road.

I was crossing the street to go to the jeepney terminal to go home to our barrio and was waiting for the stoplight to turn red. After a few minutes, the stoplight turned red, meaning we could cross and I walked right away. But someone in front of me blocked my way.

"Excuse me..." I couldn't finish my sentence when I saw who it was. "Mr. Colla—Atlas."

His serious face was looking at me. He wasn't wearing a coat anymore, like when we first met. He was wearing a white polo shirt with two buttons unbuttoned. It was tucked into his black pants.

"Ms. Dayanghirang," he replied. "Long time no see."

I just smiled faintly at him. "Just call me Sarah."

I stepped aside towards the post because we were blocking the way. Atlas followed me until we reached the spot.

"I was wondering if you're looking for a job?"

My ears perked up at what he said.

"Actually, I'm looking for one now, but it seems like they're not open for hiring," I replied, looking up at him, he was so tall. "Maybe I'll look for one tomorrow..."

"I have a job offer for you," he interrupted me. "You still haven't found a job, right?"

I nodded.

"W-what is it?" I asked nervously and stammering.

"We can talk in my warehouse. I don't really want to discuss it here in public. Is it okay with you?"

Warehouse?

SHANGPU